Bangladesh was born partly out of a struggle to protect the dignity of mother-tongue Bengali against assaults from Urdu, Pakistan’s state-sponsored ‘national unity’ language. Any multi-lingual nation-state that favours some languages over others is fundamentally insecure about diversity, hiding behind ‘national unity’. In independent Bangladesh, Bengali has emerged as the dominant language of online media. There is a popular, vibrant blog-centric cyber-activism culture in Bengali with many ideological shades — Liberation war idealists, Marxists, atheists, Islamists, feminists, secular and non-secular Bengali nationalists and so on. The Bengali blogosphere plays a role in shaping the political discourse of Bangladesh.
Avijit Roy, a famous blogger, founder of Bengali blog MuktoMona (Freethinker) and a prolific writer propagating rational and scientific spirit, was hacked to death by ‘unknown assailants’ in the university area of Dhaka on 26th February, in front of by-standers and security forces. His wife, ...

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday condemned VHP’s statement on ghar wapsi. Valmiki Naik, ad-hoc secretary, AAP Goa, said that the party condemns any attempt to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of Goa. He also reminded the BJP-led government of Goa that it is the government of every Goan, regardless of religious or political affiliations, and therefore needs to keep a close watch on radical elements in the ...

A break in Goa can be much more than just a holiday on beautiful beaches: the Indian state has a fast-developing food and drink scene that embraces local and international flavours, as well as stylish modern hotels and ancient traditions• Inland Goa: an alternative to beach-side culture

Though it has changed hugely over the last couple of decades, Goa still has much to offer, especially for those in need of a blast of sunshine at this time of year. The hippy days are over, but Goa has evolved, so while Anjuna and Vagator beaches join Calangute in the file marked “overcrowded”, a heavenly relaxed beach vibe can still be found elsewhere: on the sands of Ashvem-Mandrem, for example, and in the bays and beaches of the far south.

The state administration on Tuesday denied Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik permission to enter the North District of Goa.
Collector Nila Mohanan relied on a report submitted by the police which said that with Panaji Assembly by-election coming up, Muthalik's visit might lead to a law and order situation and communal tension. Muthalik last week had sought permission to visit the state for ten days. At present he has been prohibited from entering the state.
He had announced last year that he would be establishing a unit of his outfit in Goa, and it would make people aware about dangers of "pub culture" in the state. According to his present application, filed by his lawyer Rajesh Takbhate, Muthalik wanted to visit temples and ashrams in Goa and would not make speeches or take part in public functions.
Takbhate had also said that denial of permission would be a violation of his client's fundamental rights. Ram Sene, a Hindu right-wing organisation, became infamous after an attack on a Mangalore pub in ...

Watched by US President Barack Obama, India on Monday (January 26) displayed its military might and rich cultural diversity during the dazzling 66th Republic Day parade in the Capital which was wrapped in an unprecedented security blanket.

Multi-hued images of India's rich cultural diversity and military might as well as achievements in diverse fields unfolded on Monday at the 66th Republic Day parade, which had a US President--Barack Obama--as the Chief Guest for the first time.
As the nearly two-hour-long parade, showcasing the country's 'unity in diversity' marched down the Rajpath in drizzle and overcast skies, thousands of spectators gathered along the route and cheered in joy.
The national capital was wrapped in unprecedented security blanket as thousands of security personnel kept a hawk's vigil in and around the Rajpath area.
Obama was seated next to Modi, donning a multicoloured 'bandhej safa'(turban), as the two leaders chatted and enjoyed the annual spectacle. A smiling US President was seen nodding in appreciation on several occasions.
In a departure from tradition for the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade, Obama arrived in his own highly-secured bomb-proof vehicle, 'The Beast,' at Rajpath.
A highlight of this year's ...

The Lisboan Chiltern Firehouse chef would go for a Goan beach picnic with loved ones

I’d have my last meal on Ashwem Beach in northern Goa, as it was about 10 years ago, when it was still undeveloped and raw. I’ve travelled a fair bit, but that was where I’ve felt most at peace, and this would be a chance to share that with the people I love.

Khurshidnbsphas addressed devilishly complex issues with candour and clarity The disturbing upheavals in the Aligarh Muslim University and the Jamia Milia Islamia the never ending arguments over the Uniform Civil Code and much ...

Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh on Sunday (December 14) asked Naxals to leave the path of violence and join his party. "Naxalites should come in the mainstream like Maoists in Nepal, who left the path of violence and came into the mainstream of participatory politics. Naxalites should also do that. If they feel Congress is the right party, then they are most welcome to join the party," Singh said on the sidelines of the ongoing state Congress 'Chintan Shibir' in Goa.

Goa Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao said here on Saturday that people of Goa have mixed feelings over Manohar Parrikar leaving the state politics to take up his new assignment at the Centre.
Parrikar met the Archbishop before tendering his resignation to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha. "There is a mix reaction over you taking over as a union minister," the Archbishop told Parrikar during an informal meeting.
Parrikar also paid visit to three local temples.
"There was lot of pressure on me not to leave the state. But I had to take it in the interest of nation," Parrikar, told Archbishop Ferrao. Parrikar's meeting with the Archbishop holds significance as local Church had stood by the party during 2012 state assembly election.
The BJP legislative wing had six catholic MLAs which is unprecedented for the party, earlier labelled as communal.
Report India PTI Panaji Archbishop Mridula Sinha Manohar Parrikar Goa Saturday, 8 November 2014 - 3:36pmSaturday, 8 November 2014 - ...

Some BJP legislators have strongly pitched for deputy chief minister Francis D’Souza’s candidature for the chief minister’s post as a Catholic face of the party during the one-to-one discussion with chief minister Manohar Parrikar over the selection of candidates for the top ...